1842.] Extract of a Letter from Dr. Jameson to Mr. Clerk. 3 



Below the carboniferous series there is another kind of coal met with 

 in the primitive and transition series, viz. glance coal, or anthracite, a 

 non-bituminous coal, which is now extensively used, particularly in Ame- 

 rica, in steam vessels, but as these rocks are still older than the carbo- 

 niferous series, none are met with here in situ. 



We have made these observations in order that you may decide what 

 is to be done with the small quantity which has been collected. For 

 my own part, I think that the boat might as well have remained where 

 it was, or rather that the individual or individuals who preceded me, 

 ought to have given it as his or their opinion, that the supply would 

 never be commensurate with the demand, even for a single vessel for a 

 few months ; and that at the same time the collecting of coal from 

 such small seams would incur great expense to Government. But no 

 doubt the alum slate, which is of a deep black colour, and which occurs 

 in many places along with the coal, was confounded with it, and led to 

 the supposition that coal was to be met with in quantity. 



If you think it necessary to send to Bombay any of the coal collected, I 

 may mention that individuals who remove the alum slate from mines 

 here to the place where the coal seams occur, receive one rupee for every 

 sixteen pucka maunds they bring to the manufactory in the town, and 

 it is so near to the river, that no less than half of it was washed away 

 by the late flood. 



As I find that it is necessary to go to Peshawur by Cohat, unless I pro- 

 ceed by the right bank of the river, I shall be in this district some ten 

 or twelve days, as it is both an important and interesting geological 

 one. By the district, I mean some 20 coss round. To-morrow I shall 

 be in the immediate neighbourhood. On the 17th, I shall ascend the river 

 in the boat, leaving every thing here, with the exception of a small tent, 

 and shall be absent some six or seven days, depending much, however, on 

 the geological structure of the country. I shall also have ample oppor- 

 tunity of witnessing the devastations of the late flood, the accounts of 

 which given here are awful. I have made a magnificent collection 

 of minerals at the different mines, and intend to send two camel loads 

 for the boat to Bahawulpore, with directions to forward them to Feroze- 

 pore. I trust my collection of minerals, birds, &c. will surpass any that 

 have been sent to Calcutta for some time. In addition to the two camel 

 loads of minerals, I have other two camels and three mules loaded with 



